Jeremy Irons soldiers on in 'Beautiful Creatures'

It’s been four decades since English actor Jeremy Irons began his television career, after many years on the British stage. But he wasn’t introduced to American audiences till the early-’80s, when his dashing ...

It’s been four decades since English actor Jeremy Irons began his television career, after many years on the British stage. But he wasn’t introduced to American audiences till the early-’80s, when his dashing looks and mellifluous voice were discovered onscreen in “The French Lieutenant’s Woman,” and on TV in “Brideshead Revisited.” Irons has garnered all sorts of awards honoring his work: an Emmy for playing Charles Ryder in “Brideshead,” an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his Claus von Bulow in “Reversal of Fortune,” an Annie for voicing the evil Scar in “The Lion King,” and a coveted MTV Movie Award, along with Dominique Swain, for Best Kiss in “Lolita.” In the new film “Beautiful Creatures,” he plays the mysterious and powerful family patriarch Macon Ravenwood. He’s as elegant as ever, and his voice has become even richer. We recently spoke in Los Angeles.What made you want to play Macon?
I thought he had a certain sort of wit and charm – an enigmatic quality, which I liked. But I wasn’t very clear about who he is, and why he is. Since he is a man who has power to change a lot about himself and about his environment, it’s fairly difficult to pin him down, which I think is perhaps how he should be. So it’s probably good that I am not able to explain him too much, yet.You came to the film after production had started, so you had to jump right in. Is it true that you like being unprepared when you begin a project?
I used to feel that way. I’m not sure I now feel like that. I’ve just done “Henry IV” for PBS. Mind you, I was completely prepared for that, and I found it a great help. But I think the way I would now aim to be is to be completely ready for anything, which demands a certain preparation. And then just throw it all out.Do you have some advice for young actors?
Don’t give up. You’re always being slapped down, you’re always being rejected. You’re always being made to feel you can’t do it, and the ones who succeed are the ones who don’t give up.Did you have a mentor who said that to you?
I was told that by the principal at my theater school. I was working down at the Old Vic in Bristol. It was around 12 o’clock at night, we were changing over one play, and another set was coming in. It was an old theater, there was a lot of dust, and I was always wheezing. I wasn’t getting any roles onstage, I was doing all this stuff offstage, working very long hours. I remember calling the principal and moaning, saying I’m not sure I can deal with this. And on the other end of the line, he said, “Soldier on, Jeremy, soldier on.”Were you once thinking of a musical career?
No. I play a lot of instruments, but I never played them well enough to really get paid for it (laughs). So I play for myself. I play the guitar, and with that I suppose I could make a bit of money. I used to busk on the streets in London and Europe in the ’60s. I also play the piano, but just for my own pleasure. And I play the violin, the harmonica, and the drums.What have you got lined up in acting?
Nothing right now. I’m probably going to do another series of “The Borgias.” But in the past two years, I’ve made four films, two series of “The Borgias,” and two documentaries. I’m sort of feeling right now that I’d quite like to stop for a little bit.“Beautiful Creatures” opens on Feb. 14.